US8292450B2 - Headgear light - Google Patents

Abstract

Light apparatus particularly a headgear light comprising a light body removably securable to a headgear. The preferred embodiment of the light includes a mount assembly including a docking base that is removably attachable to a helmet or other headgear, and provides visible light, invisible light, and friend-or-foe light signals. The light body is compact for easy storage and handling, and can be quickly and easily installed on and removed from the headgear with one hand and without visual reference.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/331,779 filed Jan. 12, 2006, which application is hereby incorporated in full herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to mountable light assemblies and more particularly to a light that may be removably secured to a headgear such as a helmet.

Lights mounted on helmets and headgear have been known and used in many different forms. Examples of helmet-mounted lights include patents to: Malm, U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,704; Johnston, U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,429; Barnett, U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,007; Hanabusa, U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,331; Hanabusa, U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,210; Becker, U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,393; Case, U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,919; Fischer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,733 B1; Fischer et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,489 B2; and Appiah, U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,510 B1. These patents teach a visible light in combination with a helmet or headgear. The inventions disclosed in these patents have various operational characteristics and require varying degrees of effort to remove or install the lights.

A clamp that mounts on the brim of a helmet is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,684 to Baril et al. One end of this clamp is made for attachment to the front of a standard army issue helmet and the other end of this clamp is made to accept standard issue night vision goggles. A device for mounting night vision goggles on a helmet is also shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,834 to McCarthy et al.

What is needed and has not been found in the prior art or the foregoing patents, however, is a helmet or other headgear-mountable light that can be rigidly attached to the helmet or other headgear and includes a light body that can be readily removed or installed with one hand in a substantially continuous motion. Also not taught in the prior art is the ability to complete such installation and removal without visual reference while the helmet or headgear is being worn. There has also been a need for a helmet or other headgear in combination with a light that provides visible light, invisible light, and/or Identify Friend or Foe (“IFF”) light. Side mounting capability in combination with invisible light and/or IFF light is also not taught in the prior art. Also not taught in the prior art is such a combination that is small enough so that the light body can be readily manipulated with one hand and stored in a pants or shirt pocket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, a helmet or headgear-mounted light includes a mount assembly and a light body. The light body provides one or more of the following in any combination: a visible light source, a night vision light source that may be in the visible or invisible range, and/or an IFF light source. In a preferred embodiment, the helmet to be used is standard government-issue to the armed forces. The mount assembly is designed to be securely attached to the brim of the helmet with the light sources facing generally forward. This enables the present invention to be mounted on the side of the helmet or headgear or in some other location where it will not interfere with other helmet-mounted devices such as night-vision goggles.

In the preferred embodiment, the light body includes a battery housing for a battery comprising at least one battery cell for supplying power as needed to energize the light sources.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the visible light source has three levels of intensity allowing the user to illuminate the area being faced with different levels of brightness. Depending upon the tactical situation, it may be desirable to use low levels of light for navigation purposes or for investigating dark areas without necessarily compromising security. In other situations, in which user security is not a consideration, higher levels of brightness may be used to illuminate areas that may conceal hazardous conditions.

A night vision light source, such as invisible infrared or visible red, can be used for area illumination in situations where night vision capability must be maintained and where night vision devices and/or infrared capable cameras may be in use.

In the preferred embodiment, the IFF light can be a blinking green LED with a predetermined repetition rate. In hostile environments where reliable audible communication is not feasible, the flashing green light signals the presence of an individual whose identity is that of a “friend,” assuming that the signaling device has not fallen into hostile hands. Alternatively, the IFF light can be infrared or other invisible light.

In the preferred embodiment, the mount assembly includes a mounting bracket, mounting screws, a docking base, and a resilient pad. The docking base serves as a quick-release platform upon which the light body can be quickly and rigidly attached and quickly removed. The mounting screws secure the docking base to the mounting bracket. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting screws secure the mounting bracket to the helmet or headgear.

The docking base includes attachment channels that engage complementary attachment rails that are part of the light body. The docking base also includes a quick-release lever that has a latch and a quick-release button. The latch engages a catch or slot on the light body to keep the light body attached to the docking base.

When a user depresses the quick-release button, the latch is disengaged from the slot, thereby allowing the light body to be removed from the docking base by a simple sliding motion. The quick-release lever is resilient and the latch is preferably tapered, so that together they act to allow the latch to automatically reengage the catch when the light body is slid back onto the docking base.

The light body typically includes a visible light source, a night vision light source, and an IFF light source. The night vision light source preferably provides light such as invisible infrared, but may instead be a visible red light that is compatible with night vision devices while providing low level area illumination. In the preferred embodiment, LED's are the light sources because of their low power consumption and long life. The visible light source and the night vision light source are typically controlled by a single three-position switch that either activates (1) only visible lighting, (2) only night vision lighting, or (3) neither. The IFF light source is typically controlled by a separate, dedicated on/off switch. The light body of the preferred embodiment is also provided with a brightness control for varying the brightness of the visible light.

Accordingly, a light according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: a mount assembly removably attachable to a headgear such as a helmet, the mount assembly including a docking base adapted to lockably engage a light body; and a light body adapted to lockably engage the docking base, the light body including at least one light source.

According to another aspect of the present invention a preferred light embodiment comprises: a mount assembly removably attachable to a headgear and including a docking base; a light body including at least one light source; and a first attachment device carried by the docking base and a second attachment device carried by the light body, the first attachment device and the second attachment device adapted for cooperatively attaching the light body to the mount assembly when the light body is applied to the docking base and displaced in a predetermined direction with respect thereto.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided light apparatus comprising: a mount assembly removably attachable to a headgear such as a helmet and including a docking base; a light body including at least one light source; and the mount assembly and the light body adapted to be automatically locked to one another when the light body is applied to the docking base and displaced in a predetermined direction along the docking base. One of the mount assembly and the light body includes an actuator for unlocking the light body from the docking base; and the mount assembly and the light body are adapted to be detached from one another when the actuator is actuated and the light body is displaced in a direction opposite the predetermined direction along the docking base. In a preferred example, one of the docking base and the light body includes a channel and the other of the docking base and the light body includes a rail complementary to the channel for slidably engaging the light body along the docking base.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light apparatus comprising: a headgear; a docking base secured to the headgear; a light body including at least one light source; and the docking base and the light body adapted to be automatically locked to one another when the light body is applied to the docking base and displaced in a predetermined direction along the docking base.

A preferred manner of practicing the present invention is provided by a method of attaching a light to a headgear, comprising: providing a headgear with a docking base; providing a light body including at least one light source; placing the headgear on a user's head; the user grasping the light body with one hand and, in a substantially continuous motion of that one hand, aligning the light body with the docking base, sliding the light body onto the docking base, and releasably locking the light body to the docking base. When the user desires to remove the light body from the headgear, the method continues by the user grasping the light body with one hand, and in a substantially continuous motion of that one hand, unlocking the light body from the docking base and sliding the light body off the docking base. The sliding and locking steps during installation of the light body to the docking base, and the unlocking and sliding steps during removal of the light body from the docking base, may be performed without visual reference by the user.

The step of providing the headgear with the docking base may include: providing a headgear; providing a mount assembly including the docking base; and securing the mount assembly to a side of the headgear. During the headgear providing step, the headgear may comprise a helmet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are characteristic of the invention, both as to structure and method of operation thereof, together with further advantages thereof, will be understood from the following description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only and not as a definition of the limits or scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a light assembly according to the instant invention installed on the brim of a helmet as worn by an individual;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the preferred light ofFIG. 1 shown in increased scale as mounted on the brim of a helmet;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred light embodiment ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a mount assembly included in the light ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the mount assembly ofFIG. 4 taken along the line5-5 and viewed in the direction of the appended arrows;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the docking base and resilient pad of the mount assembly;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the helmet mounting bracket of the mount assembly ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the light body of the light ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 9 is a top view of the light ofFIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following description, a specific arrangement, construction, and other details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the instant invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the instant invention may be practiced without these specific details and that other embodiments are within the scope of the instant invention.

FIGS. 1-9 show a preferred embodiment of a light apparatus orlight20 of the instant invention.FIG. 1 shows an individual wearing ahelmet19 with a light20 of the present invention mounted on the helmet. As best seen inFIGS. 4,5,6, and7, the preferred embodiment of the light20 includes amount assembly22 comprising a mountingbracket24 with mountingprongs29 spaced from an opposingplate21, mountingscrews26 threaded through threaded apertures in the opposingplate21, adocking base30, and aresilient pad28. Theresilient pad28 is preferably of an elastomeric material such as neoprene, and has acontact surface23 that contacts the outer surface of ahelmet19 or headgear. In an alternative embodiment, theresilient pad28 is optional and need not be included in themount assembly22.

FIG. 1 shows the overall size of the preferred embodiment of the light20. In this preferred embodiment, the overall size is less than 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches by 1.5 inches. This size is well-suited for achieving an objective of the instant invention which is to provide a helmet-mountable light that can be readily installed to or removed from a helmet or other headgear with only one hand and without visual reference.

As shown inFIG. 5, in the preferred embodiment the headed attachment screws26 attach thedocking base30 to the opposingplate21 of the mountingbracket24, thescrews26 extending throughbores25 in thedocking base30 with the screw heads restrained by the annular ledge of thecounterbores25a. Thedocking base30 and theresilient pad28 are secured together, withportions35 of thedocking base30 being fitted intoslots37 in the pad28 (FIG. 6). Thescrews26 are short enough so that they do not contact thehelmet19 in this embodiment, and thegap33 between the mountingprongs29 and thepad contact surface23 produces a loose fit with thehelmet19 when themount assembly22 is applied to thehelmet19. It may be appreciated that tightening of thescrews26 into the threadedapertures31 of theplate21 pulls theprongs29 against the inner surface of thehelmet19. Further tightening of thescrews25 urges thedocking base30 and its securedresilient pad28 inwardly toward thehelmet19, compressing the securedresilient pad28 against the outer surface of thehelmet19 and clamping thehelmet19 between theprongs29 and thepad28. In this manner, themount assembly22 is securely mounted to thehelmet19 or other headgear.

To install the preferred embodiment of themount assembly22 on thehelmet19, a user pushes themount assembly22 onto the brim of thehelmet19 with the triangularly arrangedbracket prongs29 facing the inner surface of thehelmet19 and the resilient pad'scontact surface23 facing the helmet's outer surface, and with thelower bracket portion27 facing and preferably engaging the edge of the helmet's brim. The user thereupon tightens thescrews26 as described above, securing the mount assembly including thedocking base30 to thehelmet19.

The resilient nature of theresilient pad28 allows it to compressively fit differinghelmet19 or other headgear thicknesses, as well as to accommodate irregularities in the outer surface of thehelmet19 or other headgear. This resilient nature further enables theresilient pad28 to conform to differing curvature due to differing mounting locations or differing sizes ofhelmet19 or other headgear.

To install an alternative embodiment of themount assembly22 havingscrews26′ that are long enough to contact thehelmet19 or headgear, themount assembly22 is installed by first loosening thescrews26′ until the distance between the mountingprongs29 and the tips of thescrews26′ is large enough to clear the brim of thehelmet19. Themount assembly22 is then pushed onto the brim of thehelmet19 with theprongs29 facing the helmet's inner surface and the ends of thescrews26′ facing the helmet's outer surface, with thelower bracket portion27 facing and preferably engaging the edge of the brim. Thescrews26′ are then tightened until they contact the helmet's outer surface, forcing theprongs29 against the helmet's inner surface and clamping themount assembly22 to thehelmet19. In this alternative embodiment, the securement function of theresilient pad28 is decreased, and the resilient pad may be omitted from this embodiment if desired.

Thedocking base30, best seen inFIGS. 4,5, and6, includes a first attachment device on a side of thedocking base30, for cooperating with a second attachment device on thelight body50 as shown inFIG. 8, for quickly and rigidly installing thelight body50 on thedocking base30 and for quickly removing thelight body50 therefrom. In the preferred embodiment, the docking base attachment device includes anattachment guide32, anattachment channel34, and a quick-release latching lever36 withlatch38 and quick-release button40. A “vertical”landing area41 and a “horizontal”landing area42 may also be included in thedocking base30.

The preferred attachment device of thelight body50, for rigidly attaching thelight body50 to thedocking base30, includes anattachment rail52 on thelight body50 that engages theattachment channel34 in thedocking base30. Theattachment rail52 comprises two parallel spaced-apart attachment rails52aand52bthat are joined together at one end with a continuousU-shaped rail52cand that are open at their other end.

Theattachment channel34 comprises two parallel spaced-apartattachment channels34aand34bjoined together at one end with a continuousU-shaped channel34cand that are closed at their other end. Once the attachment rails52 are fully engaged with theattachment channels34, thelight body50 is held in full engagement by a locking device preferably comprising the latchinglever36 with thelatch38 that automatically engages a catch orslot54 in thelight body50. Once thelatch38 has automatically engaged theslot54, thelight body50 is in locked engagement with thedocking base30.

In the preferred embodiment, thelight body50 has a visiblelight source56, e.g., a high luminous flux LED, a night visionlight source58, e.g., an invisible infrared LED or a visible red LED, and an IFFlight source60. A single three-position toggle switch62 typically controls the visiblelight source56 and the night visionlight source58. Aseparate switch64 typically controls the IFFlight source60.

For security purposes, the IFFlight source60 is preferably invisible but may be of any color and may blink at any frequency or in any pattern. Such blinking constitutes an intermittent operation and the interval and duration of intermittence may be varied in any manner to achieve any desired blinking pattern.

In the preferred embodiment, abrightness control button66 controls the brightness of the visiblelight source56. Each instance of depressing thebrightness button66 activates, in fixed sequence, one of three levels in a brightness cycle, namely, low, medium, and high. The visiblelight source56, night visionlight source58, and IFFlight source60 are all typically powered by a single battery, e.g., a 3 volt lithium battery, carried in thelight body50.

Once themount assembly22 is secured to the brim of thehelmet19, preferably along a side of thehelmet19, an individual wearing thehelmet19 can readily install thelight body50 on, or remove thelight body50 from, themount assembly22 in a substantially continuous one-handed motion, using the hand at the same side of the helmet on which themount assembly22 is mounted. An individual can complete such installation and removal of thelight body50 in total darkness without the need to make any visual contact with the light20 or thehelmet19.

To install thelight body50 on themount assembly22, thelight body50 is held in one hand and the attachment rails52 are aligned with theattachment channels34. Thebattery housing90 may assist the user in orienting thelight body50 so that the attachment rails52 are roughly aligned with theattachment channels34.

TheU-shaped guide32 of theattachment channels34 acts as an automatic self-centering mechanism to ensure easy engagement of the attachment rails52 with theattachment channels34. ThisU-shaped guide32 is large enough so that a user can locate it by feel with a single hand and without the need for visual reference or assistance. A “vertical”landing area41 and a “horizontal”landing area42 are both located near theU-shaped guide32 and each such area provides a tactile reference point that can assist the user in properly aligning the attachment rails52 with theattachment channels34.

Once the user aligns the attachment rails52a,52bwith theattachment channels34a,34b, thelight body50 can then be installed on thedocking base30 by simply pushing thelight body50 toward the quick-release button40 (i.e., in a rearward direction) until thelight body50 can be pushed no further. Thelight body50 is stopped from making contact with the quick-release button40 because the attachment rails52 are prevented from further movement by the presence of theU-shaped rail52ccoming into contact with theU-shaped channel34. Thelight body50 is further stopped from making contact with the quick-release button40 because the attachment rails52 are prevented from further movement by the presence of the closed end of theattachment channels34aand34b. As thelight body50 reaches this position, thelight body50 trips thelatch38 of theresilient latching lever36 to engage the catch orslot54, automatically and releasably locking thelight body50 to thedocking base30.

As previously noted, thelatch38 and quick-release button40 are both located on the quick-release latching lever36 that is part of thedocking base30. The quick-release lever36 is resilient so that when the quick-release lever36 is operated, the quick-release lever36 automatically returns toward the position it was in prior to being actuated. Thelatch38 is tapered so that as thelight body50 is pushed onto thedocking base30, thelight body50 moves across the taper of thelatch38 thereby displacing thelatch38.

When thelight body50 reaches the point where the attachment rails52 fully engage theattachment channels34, the catch orslot54 on thelight body50 is then in a position such that thelatch38 automatically springs into engagement with theslot54. This engagement keeps thelight body50 rigidly attached to thedocking base30 and, in turn, themount assembly22. The taper of thelatch38 and the raised position of thelatch38 in its normal state can be seen inFIGS. 4 and 6.

Thelatch38 is disengaged from theslot54 by depressing the quick-release button40 and simultaneously sliding thelight body50 in a direction away from the quick-release button40. Depressing the quick-release button40 causes thelatch38 to move away from theslot54 until thelatch38 is completely clear of theslot54. At this point, thelight body50 can be pulled free and clear of thedocking base30.

The location of the quick-release button40 with respect to thelight body50 and mountassembly22 is best seen inFIG. 9. It may be appreciated that, to remove thelight body50 from thedocking base30, the user may grasp the light body with one hand while, with the thumb or a finger of the same hand, simultaneously depress the quick-release button40 and slide thelight body50 forward along thechannels34a,34bofdocking base30 until thelight body50 is removed from thedocking base30.

The foregoing description is for illustrative purposes only. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the instant invention without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the instant invention. It is in that context that the following claims are made.

Claims (43)

1. Light apparatus comprising:

a helmet;

a docking base attached to said helmet;

a light body including at least one light source;

two spaced-apart parallel attachment channels on one of said docking base and said light body;

two spaced-apart parallel attachment rails on the other one of said docking base and said light body;

said parallel rails and said parallel channels slideably engageable for attaching said light body to said docking base;

a locking device automatically locking said light body to said docking base when said light body is displaced with respect to said docking base in a first direction along said parallel rails engaged with said parallel channels; and

an actuator for releasing said light body from said docking base when actuated and said light body is displaced with respect to said docking base in a second direction.

2. The light apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein:

said actuator comprises a lever.

3. The light apparatus according toclaim 1, including:

a mount assembly attached to said helmet and including said docking base.

4. The light apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein:

said mount assembly is removably attached to said helmet.

5. The light apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein:

said mount assembly includes a bracket secured to said docking base and removably attached to said helmet.

6. The light apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein:

said mount assembly includes a resilient pad secured to said docking base and engaging said helmet when said bracket is attached to said helmet.

7. The light apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein:

said first direction is a generally rearward direction when said helmet with said docking base attached thereto is worn by a user.

8. The light apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein:

said two parallel channels are on said docking base; and

said two parallel rails are on said light body.

9. The light apparatus according toclaim 8, including:

a U-shaped channel on said docking base and joining said two parallel channels at an end thereof; and

a U-shaped rail on said light body, and joining said two parallel rails at an end thereof.

10. The light apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein:

said locking device includes a latching lever automatically locking said light body to said docking base when said rails are fully engaged with said channels.

11. The light apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein:

contact of said U-shaped rail and said U-shaped channel when said parallel rails and said parallel channels are engaged prevents displacement of said light body with respect to said docking base in said first direction.

12. The light apparatus according toclaim 1, including:

a U-shaped channel on said one of said docking base and said light body, said U-shaped channel joining said two parallel channels at an end thereof; and

a U-shaped rail on said other one of said docking base and said light body, said U-shaped rail joining said two parallel rails at an end thereof.

13. The light apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein;

said locking device includes a latching lever automatically locking said light body to said docking base when said rails are fully engaged with said channels.

14. The light apparatus according toclaim 12, wherein:

contact of said U-shaped rail and said U-shaped channel when said parallel rails and said parallel channels are engaged prevents displacement of said light body with respect to said docking base in said first direction.

15. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein;

said second direction is generally opposite said first direction.

16. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein;

said first direction is a generally rearward direction when said helmet is worn by a user.

17. A method of attaching a light apparatus, comprising:

providing a headgear including a docking base secured thereto;

providing a light body;

one of said docking base and said light body including two spaced-apart parallel attachment channels, and the other of said docking base and said light body including two spaced-apart parallel attachment rails;

placing said headgear on a user's head;

sliding said light body in a first direction onto said docking base with said parallel rails engaging said parallel channels; and

locking said light body to said docking base with said parallel rails engaging said parallel channels.

18. The method according toclaim 17, including:

unlocking said light body from said docking base; and

sliding said light body off said docking base in a second direction opposite said first direction.

19. The method according toclaim 18, wherein:

said first direction is a generally rearward direction and said second direction is a generally forward direction.

20. The method according toclaim 18, wherein;

said headgear comprises a helmet.

21. The method according toclaim 20, wherein;

said first direction is a generally rearward direction and said second direction is a generally forward direction.

22. The method according toclaim 17, wherein:

said two parallel channels are on said docking base and said two parallel rails are on said light body.

23. The method according toclaim 17, wherein the step of providing said headgear includes:

providing a mount assembly including said docking base; and

securing said mount assembly to said headgear.

24. The method according toclaim 17, wherein:

during the placing step, said headgear is placed on the user's head with said docking base positioned at a side of the user.

25. The method according toclaim 17, wherein;

said first direction is a generally rearward direction.

26. The method according toclaim 17, wherein;

said headgear comprises a helmet.

27. The method according toclaim 26, wherein;

said two parallel channels are on said docking base; and

said two parallel rails are on said light body.

28. The method according toclaim 26, wherein;

said first direction is a generally rearward direction.

29. The method according toclaim 26, wherein;

during the placing step, said helmet is placed on the user's head with said docking base positioned at a side of the user.

30. Light apparatus comprising:

a docking base;

a light body including at least one light source;

an attachment channel on one of said docking base and said light body, said attachment channel comprising two spaced-apart parallel channels and a U-shaped channel joining said parallel channels at an end thereof;

an attachment rail on the other one of said docking base and said light body, said attachment rail complementary to said attachment channel and comprising two spaced-apart parallel rails and a U-shaped rail joining said parallel rails at an end thereof;

said parallel rails and said parallel channels slideably engageable for attaching said light body to said docking base;

a locking device automatically locking said light body to said docking base when said light body is displaced with respect to said docking base in a first direction along said parallel rails engaged with said parallel channels and said U-shaped rail is engaged with said U-shaped channel; and

an actuator for releasing said light body from said docking base when actuated and said light body is displaced with respect to said docking base in a second direction opposite said first direction.

31. The light apparatus according toclaim 30, including:

a headgear having said docking base attached thereto.

32. The light apparatus according toclaim 30, wherein;

said attachment channel is on said docking base; and

said attachment rail is on said light body.

33. The light apparatus according toclaim 32, including:

a headgear having said docking base attached thereto.

34. Light apparatus comprising:

a headgear;

a mount assembly attached to said headgear and including a docking base;

a light body including at least one light source;

two spaced-apart parallel attachment channels on one of said docking base and said light body;

two spaced-apart parallel attachment rails on the other one of said docking base and said light body;

said parallel rails and said parallel channels slideably engageable for attaching said light body to said docking base;

a locking device automatically locking said light body to said docking base when said light body is displaced with respect to said docking base in a generally rearward first direction along said parallel rails engaged with said parallel channels when said headgear with said mount assembly attached thereto is worn by a user; and

an actuator for releasing said light body from said docking base when actuated and said light body is displaced with respect to said docking base in a second direction generally opposite said first direction.

35. Light apparatus comprising:

a headgear;

a docking base attached to said headgear;

a light body including at least one light source;

two spaced-apart parallel attachment channels on one of said docking base and said light body;

two spaced-apart parallel attachment rails on the other one of said docking base and said light body;

said parallel rails and said parallel channels slideably engageable for attaching said light body to said docking base;

a U-shaped channel on said one of said docking base and said light body, said U-shaped channel joining said two parallel channels at an end thereof: and

a U-shaped rail on said other one of said docking base and said light body, said U-shaped rail joining said two parallel rails at an end thereof;

a locking device automatically locking said light body to said docking base when said light body is displaced with respect to said docking base in a first direction along said parallel rails engaged with said parallel channels; and

an actuator for releasing said light body from said docking base when actuated and said light body is displaced with respect to said docking base in a second direction opposite said first direction.

36. The light apparatus according toclaim 35, wherein:

said locking device includes a latching lever automatically locking said light body to said docking base when said rails are fully engaged with said channels.

37. The light apparatus according toclaim 35, including:

said parallel channels and said U-shaped channel are on said docking base; and

said parallel rails and said U-shaped rail are on said light body.

38. The light apparatus according toclaim 37, wherein:

said locking device includes a latching lever automatically locking said light body to said docking base when said rails are fully engaged with said channels.

39. The light apparatus according toclaim 37, wherein:

contact of said U-shaped rail and said U-shaped channel when said parallel rails and said parallel channels are engaged prevents displacement of said light body with respect to said docking base in said first direction.

40. The light apparatus according toclaim 35, wherein:

contact of said U-shaped rail and said U-shaped channel when said parallel rails and said parallel channels are engaged prevents displacement of said light body with respect to said docking base in said first direction.

41. Light apparatus comprising:

a headgear;

a mount assembly including a docking base, a bracket secured to said docking base and removably attached to said headgear, and a resilient pad secured to said docking base and engaging said headgear when said bracket is attached to said headgear;

a light body including at least one light source;

two spaced-apart parallel attachment channels on one of said docking base and said light body;

two spaced-apart parallel attachment rails on the other one of said docking base and said light body;

said parallel rails and said parallel channels slideably engageable for attaching said light body to said docking base;

a locking device automatically locking said light body to said docking base when said light body is displaced with respect to said docking base in a first direction along said parallel rails engaged with said parallel channels; and

an actuator for releasing said light body from said docking base when actuated and said light body is displaced with respect to said docking base in a second direction.

42. The light apparatus according toclaim 41, wherein:

said second direction is opposite said first direction.

43. The light apparatus according toclaim 41, wherein:

said two parallel channels are on said docking base; and

said two parallel rails are on said light body.

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